I am not a great fan of the Olympics but when I heard that Singapore beat Korea 3-2 and made it to the finals for the Woman’s Table Tennis match, I just could not help feeling proud of my home country. Usually this blog would only discuss media related topics but this occasion calls for an exception.
Singapore was guaranteed at least a silver medal and had a shot at battling China for the Olympics Gold Medal!
Although winning a single silver medal may not seem like a big deal especially when China has already won 30 over medals and many countries several medals too, you must understand that Singapore has not won a single medal for almost 5 decades!
Olympic success for Singapore has been rare and we can only boast a single medal. Weightlifter Howe-Liang Tan won silver in the 77kg category at the 1960 Games in Rome, Italy, but he has remained our only Olympic medal winner. So you can imagine the sense of elation and national pride Singaporeans feel when we received the great news!
A few hours ago, we watched nervously as Singapore battled China for the gold medal. Although we lost the gold medal to China, I think the girls put up a good fight and it was a great match. They have given us our 2nd silver medal in the past 50 years!
Congrats China for winning the Gold and a greater congratulations to the Singapore Table Tennis Team, YOU HAVE DONE US PROUD!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
It is nice to win after a long Gap.Though the Singapore players are basically from China(Born,broughtup and trained in China).
August 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I wish people will stop saying that about the Singapore players. Is it really necessary to take some of the shine off their silver medal?
Being born in China and having learnt their skills in China doesn’t automatically mean that they would become successful in the sport. Li Jiawei in particular came to Singapore when she was 14 and did not become a champion without a lot support and training in Singapore and a lot of hard work and sacrifice from her herself.
Both Feng Tianwei and Wang Yuegu were not earmarked to become champions in China either and were both languishing in the pro-circuits before Singapore decided to invite them and they decided to immigrate to Singapore.
A lot of effort, dedication, hard work and sacrifice is needed in the making of a successful athlete and it just isn’t cool to take the shine of winning a medal as difficult to win and as important to win as an Olympic medal. Why begrudge these players and those who’ve nurtured them, their moment of glory and joy?
I applaud these table tennis players. And I thank them for showing all Singaporeans what sports is about because I know a lot of Singaporean do not see the value in sports. For the many in Singapore who don’t care about sports, when these girls play, didn’t most of your cheer as one, didn’t some of you become a little teary when Li Jiawei cried, didn’t most of your hearts burst with pride when you saw our national flag hoisted high? This is sports. Sports is about passion. It’s about being the best. It’s about giving your all. It’s about proving to those who say you can’t, that you can. It’s about sheer guts and determination. All three of them were never meant to be this successful but now they are the ones with the silver around their necks. And I am proud of them. Congrats Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei. Congrats to the entire team, the coaches, the Singapore table tennis federation, to Ng Ser Miang and to all who dreamt and hoped for this moment.